I would also like to know what other specialists for mitochondrial disease think about these tests and the value of the results and their interpretation. I will try to see one, when i get back to Switzerland, but maybe in the meantime others can share their experiences...

Hi Eric, i just spotted this. I have had the same test done and am interested to see your results. I haver family here at the moment and we are just getting ready to go out, so ill try and remember to write on here later or tommorrow.
Take care, Justy.

I had mito.tests done through Dr.Myhill, in March 2010. i have just spent 30 mins typing out results [i have no scanner] to add to comparisons, and then I lost them!! arrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhh. Technologically challenged! Will try again to post when energy permits.

Hi Eric, sorry not to get back toyou sooner - so exhausted from family visiting - have had to take to my bed.
here are my results - we can talk more about it later when im up tp it if you like

level of ATP in cells: 1.66 (1.6-2.9nmol/106).
With endogenous Mg only the result is 0.96 (0.9-2.7nmol/106) with a ratio of 0.58 (>0.65). This result shows a poor ATP-related magnesium status
Krebs Citric Acid Cycle borderline slow at 62.5% (normal range >60%).
ATP to ADP conversion conversion efficiency is just about normal at 62.5%, she has 37% blocking of active sites. significant blockage of the active sites (i.e. complexes I,II,III,IV and V on inner mitochondrial membranes)
The red cell NAD shows a borderline B3 deficiency at 14.7g/ml (14 30).
L-Carnitine 28.2umol/l (34 48).
Co-enzyme Q10 0.39umol/l (0.55 2.0).
Movement of ATP and ADP across mitochondrial membranes Translocator protein out is a borderline result of 36.8% (normal range >35%). Translocator protein in is a poor result of 25.3% (normal range 55 - 75%)
Mitochondrial Function Score0.46 which equates to about 30/100

Cell free DNA result25.8ug DNA per litre (up to 9.5).
The SODase result is very poor at 37% (>40%). Zn/Cu form is 292 (240-410 enzyme units), the Mn form is 104 (125-208) and the EC (extra-cellular) form (another Zn/Cu SODase but not part of the functional SODase test) is 20 (28 70). This result shows a severe deficiency in manganese.

The gene studies show that the gene for Zn/Cu-SODase is normal, the gene for Mn-SODase is partially blocked with low enzyme activity, and the gene for the EC-SODase is normal with low enzyme activity
Red cell glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX)
Red cell glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) - 53U/gHb (67 90) very poor result
Red cell glutathione (GSH) 1.78mmol/l (1.7 2.6) low normal result

I have seen the results of quite a few AcumenLab panels on people with ME/CFS, and the types of results you have received are very typical.

As you may know, I believe that the origin of the mito dysfunction that is so well documented by these tests is the vicious circle mechanism involving glutathione depletion, a functional B12 deficiency, a partial block of the methylation cycle, and loss of folates.

Dr. Howard does do a glutathione measurement, but it is a red blood cell total glutathione measurement. While many PWMEs have a low value from this measurement, many are only low-normal or even normal. The problem here, as I see it, is that this type of test is not very reflective of the levels of reduced glutathione in the tissue cells. First of all, it is run on the red blood cells, which are normally producers and net exporters of glutathione. They can thus be expected to have a better glutathione status than cells that do not have this capability. Second, total glutathione includes oxidized glutathione, and it is a liability rather than an asset in maintaining the redox status of the cells.

As far as I know, only the European Laboratory of Nutrients in the Netherlands and its subsidiary, the Health Diagnostics and Research Institute in New Jersey, USA, have the capability to measure both reduced and oxidized glutathione in blood plasma, which is more reflective of the situation in tissue cells. Most PWMEs are found to have low reduced glutathione with this testing.

In the clinical study of methylation treatment that Dr. Nathan and I performed, the patients reported a statistically significant increase in energy level on a visual analog rating scale. I think this indicates that methylation treatment improved the function of their mitochondria, since the mitochondria are mainly responsible for producing the ATP that powers biochemical reactions, including the contraction of the muscles.

I think that the theoretical basis for this connection between the vicious circle mechanism and mito dysfunction is also pretty solid. Oxidative stress, which is associated with glutathione depletion, is known to inhibit mito function. Carnitine, coenzyme Q10, phosphatidylcholine, and creatine are all needed by the mitochondria and the ATP system, and all of them require methylation for their synthesis. When glutathione goes down, toxins build up, as are found in the mitochondria in ME/CFS. When there is a shortage of ATP, due to mito dysfunction, the proper levels of essential minerals cannoth be maintained in the cells, because sufficient energy is not available for the cell membrane ion pumps.

Based on all of this, I believe that the methylation treatment is necessary to bring the mitochondria back to full normal operation. I hope this is helpful.

Thanks for your inputs. Don't worry, Justy, i will have to travel tomorrow anyway, so i can't be around a lot, but it's interesting to see the results of other people. It would be very intersting to see the results of healthy persons as well, but probably not a lot of them have taken the test.

Hi Eric and all....Thanks for sharing.
My results are from 2008(may be worse now as I'm more housebound/physical/brain problems)
My Mitochondrial Function Test results(Dr Myhill/Acumen Lab) were as follow:
Low levels ATP 1.50(1.6-2.9nmol/10to sixth)
Magnesium status low...0.94(0.9-2.7nmol/10to sixth)with a ratio of 0.63(>0.65)
ADP to ATP.....This is going very slow at 56.3%(normal range>60%)with a 25% blockage of the active sites with a poor rate of conversion of ADP to ATP
REd Cell NAD shows a marked deficiency at 8.9ug/ml(14-30)
Co-enzyme Q10 is a borderline result at 0.55umol/L(0.55-2.0)
Translocator protein out...poor result....26%(normal range>35%)
Translocator protein in.....76.6%(normal range...55-75%)with rapid depletion on energy demand.
Mild(25%)blocking of active sites leading to reduced ADP to ATP re-conversion.Poor provision of ATP by the mitochondria and rather rapid depletion on energy demand.
Cell-free DNA...14.2ugDNA per litre plasma...Ref Range up to 9.5..Comments some increase in cell degradation...
SODase result is poor at 39%(<40%)
Red cell glutathione(GSH)...1.80 mmol/L (1.7-2.6)
Red cell glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)...57 U/gHb(67-90)
My score was 0.85(although this score is rather skewed by the 76.6%for translocator protein in)which equated to 45/100 on the CFS(Disabilty Scale/Dr Myhill)

It's possible that if you open a reply window again, you may find your post saved as something that you can recall. Sometimes if I want to type in a lot of info, I do it in a Notepad or Word document that I then cut and paste. I hate losing all that work!

Hi, its interesting to compare the different results. My ATP availability isnt too bad but i have very poor antioxidant status and a very high cell free DNA, i wonder why this is. in the main the results are all following a similar trend.

Abha - i had the translocator protein studies done as i had a high degree of blocking of active sites on mito test. I havent really found the results useful though - i really dont understand them or the implications of my results, so it feels a bit like a waste of my money.
I understand the idea of supplementing to get better function from mitos and increase antioxidant status - but this isnt showin gus what is causing the problem or really fixing it.
All the best, Justy.

I agree Justy, and will post my results up here when I get a chance.
The ATP profile seems very good at determining the level of fatigue (just how bad you are), and it doesnt seem possible to be a healthy person, and have a low score in this test, but I dont think fixing this is the real issue. There is most likely some mechanism that causes the mitos to get all blocked up in the first place. I think Rich Vank is probably onto something is this regard, and in my case I think dysautonomia is my biggest problem rather than just fatigue. Taking supplements for me hasnt made a blind bit of difference, either positively or negatively.

Here's a summary of my Acumen test results. They were done in 2008 and I'm rather worse now. Breakspear suggested I have the test again but I don't see the point as the only treatments suggests were about 15 mitochondrial support supplements, and I haven't had any improvement from these after taking some of them for years, and all of them for the last 9 months. Also no-one there seems able to properly explain to me what these results mean. I agree with jonnyboy - we need to get to the root of all this.

DNA adducts - diamino/diazo compound 12 ng/ml. Synthase enzyme activity is partly inhibited by the diamino or diazo chemical that is affecting some TL sites. This is reducing the efficiency of the cytochrome C-CL gating complex and that will have efffects on the proton-gradient and electron transport.